• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-893785155561
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "central-asia",
  "destination": "Central-Asia",
  "title": "central-asia",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Central-Asia",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Central Asia

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Sunset over Charyn canyon in souther Kazakhstan

Sunset over Charyn canyon in souther Kazakhstan

Overview

With its medieval blue-domed cities, kinetic bazaars and remote yurtstays, Central Asia encapsulates the romance of the Silk Road like nowhere else.

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-658296376114
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "central-asia",
  "destination": "Central-Asia",
  "title": "central-asia",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Central-Asia",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-884871683461
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "central-asia",
  "destination": "Central-Asia",
  "title": "central-asia",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Central-Asia",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Central Asia and beyond

View all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-681820618241
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "central-asia",
  "destination": "Central-Asia",
  "title": "central-asia",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Central-Asia",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}